How do you lead an already winning team to victory after the previous coach, or in this case principal, retires after 22 years as school principal and 40 years of combined service to the school district?

According to Dardanelle Middle School’s new principal John David Keeling, you take an already winning playbook and make it your own.

Keeling graduated from Ola High School in 1992 and then attended Arkansas Tech University.

He graduated from Tech in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in education and went to work for the Ola school district.

Keeling taught math and science, coached various sports and served as the assistant principal during his 12 years at Ola.

He graduated with a degree in educational leadership in 2005 from Harding University and continued at Ola until 2007 when he accepted the position of assistant principal at Dardanelle Primary School.

Keeling said his passion for education is deep and that working in the school system is the place he feels most at home professionally.

“I’ve always had a passion for working with young people,” Keeling said of his vocation. “I feel like I’m able to contribute to these kids’ lives and have a positive influence. As educators, we are responsible for providing guidance that encourages students to become responsible, productive citizens.”

The classroom and locker room were a natural fit for Keeling, but he said the shift to administration was gradual and actually unexpected.

Keeling began his career at Ola as a coach and classroom teacher and assumed more administrative duties when requested.

“I enjoyed coaching and teaching. As I progressed at Ola, I came to love the administrative side,” Keeling said of switching from the classroom to administration. “There are similarities between coaching and administration. I’ve always enjoyed leadership both on and off the field. Now, it’s become leadership both in the classroom and the administrative office.”

After assuming more duties, Keeling decided to purse his master’s degree in educational leadership. He said he saw a path that would allow him to combine his ability to coach and passion for students to form a winning combination.

Keeling said his approach to school administration is a team concept.

“We are part of the same team working together to meet a common goal,” he said. “Our mission is the same. We are trying to provide the best possible learning environment to ensure our students are ready for college and the rest of their lives.”

Keeling said he has found the entire community of Dardanelle to be supportive and interested in education. He said the team concept extends beyond the walls of the school to the parents and the community.

Keeling said former principal Avis Cotton spent the month of June teaching him the ins and outs of the middle school.

“Mrs. Cotton and the entire administration worked hard to make my transition from primary school to middle school a smooth one,” Keeling said. “I know I have big shoes to fill and I look forward to the challenge. I don’t foresee any changes in the immediate future.

Keeling said Cotton’s legacy lives on at the school and under his leadership the school will continue to grow and provide more opportunities for its students.

“I’ve taken over a really great school,” Keeling said. “I’m grateful to be coming into a school on a positive note and look forward to the future. Just because we have a good thing going, doesn’t mean we can just idle. I want our team to continue to move forward and raise the standards in education. There is always more work to be done.”